Multiple Choice, Single Answer

Read the passage and answer the question.

Many people assume that talent alone explains why some musicians improve quickly. Yet research on skill development points to something more practical: the quality of practice matters more than the sheer number of hours. So-called deliberate practice involves focusing on specific weaknesses, working just beyond one's current ability, and seeking immediate feedback on mistakes. A player who repeats a piece they already know well may feel productive but learns little. By contrast, a player who isolates a difficult passage, slows it down, and corrects each error builds genuine skill far faster. Effortful, focused work, not comfortable repetition, drives real progress.